The Peculiar Transient AT2018cow: A Possible Origin of a Type Ibn/IIn Supernova

Abstract

Abstract We present our photometric and spectroscopic observations of the peculiar transient AT2018cow. The multiband photometry covers from peak to ∼70 days, and the spectroscopy ranges from 5 to ∼50 days. The rapid rise (t r ≲ 2.9 days), high luminosity (M V,peak ∼ −20.8 mag), and fast decline after peak make AT2018cow stand out from any other optical transients, whereas we find that its light curves show a high resemblance to those of Type Ibn supernovae. Moreover, the spectral energy distribution remains at a high temperature of ∼14,000 K at t > 15 days after discovery. The spectra are featureless in the first 10 days, while some broad emission lines due to H, He, C, and O emerge later, with velocity declining from ∼14,000 to ∼3000 km s−1 at the end of our observations. Narrow and weak He I emission lines emerge in the spectra at t > 20 days after discovery. These emission lines are reminiscent of the features seen in interacting supernovae like the Type Ibn and IIn subclasses. We fit the bolometric light curves with a model of circumstellar interaction and radioactive decay of 56Ni and find a good fit with ejecta mass M ej ∼ 3.16 M ⊙, circumstellar medium (CSM) mass M CSM ∼ 0.04 M ⊙, and ejected 56Ni mass M ⊙. The CSM shell might be formed in an eruptive mass ejection of the progenitor star. Furthermore, the host environment of AT2018cow implies a connection of AT2018cow with massive stars. Combining observational properties and the light-curve fitting results, we conclude that AT2018cow might be a peculiar interacting supernova that originated from a massive star.